Apparatus for earth boring



Dec. 10, 1940. R. E. LEE

APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1937,

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10,1940. E LEE 2,224,439

APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING Filed Dec. 15, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 v fl'|E |.2. HEEL full- 0/7: 4.9 may 4 42 s y 111E 1 El ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1940. R. E. LEE 2.224,439

APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING Filed Dec. 13, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 TI. 15.1.3. IJL'E.J

V :Hh M52 Q '73 1% 4 1 7+ 76 g. r '75 ii I s.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1940. 5; LEE I 2224,4329

APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING Filed Dec. 13, 1937 B-Sheets-Sheet 4 M MM) ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1940. R. E. LEE

APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING Filed Dec. 15, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 'M (WM) ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR EARTH BORING Robert E. Lee, Coleman, Ten, assignor of fifty per cent to Joseph H. Reynolds, Cisco, Tex.

Application December 13, 1937, Serial No. 179,569

4 Claim.

This invention relates to earth boring and it has particular reference to a method and apparatus for drilling oil, gas and water wells.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby the efficiency of the drilling tool is increased, particularly when hard formations are encountered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism within the drill stem whereby a succession of blows or impulses are imparted to the drill bit, thereby causing a shattering action on the formation encountered.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism at the surface of the earth whereby the rate and force at which the impulses delivered to the bit is under the control of an operator at all times.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide electromagnetic means for imparting impulses to a drill bit, which means are controlled from the surface of the earth, and are so arranged that the said means do not interfere with the normal operations of drilling, such as run ning in and coming out of the bore hole.

Still another object is to provide means whereby the hydraulic cushion heretoiore present between the face of the drilling bit and the formation is eliminated.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism whereby much. less weight is required on the drilling bit as compared to present weights necessary to accomplish efiicient drilling results.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of parts, which will become manifest as the descrip tion proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a conventional derrick, shown with the swivel and rotary table, and showing the control equipment and the lead cables attached thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the bore hole, shown with the casing and drill stem, and showing the insulated electric power cable within the drill stem.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the power cable.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the cable reel.

Figure 5 is a view-taken on the line 5-5 on Figure 4, shown with portions-broken away.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the structure whereby electric power is transmitted to the cable on the reel shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus for generating an electric current and for transmitting the same alternately to the electromagnets within the drill stem, and showing the means for varying the rate of alternation.

I Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of one of the commutators shown in Figure '7. r Figure 9 is a similar view of the companion commutator.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the slip ring assembly.

Figure 11 is a view in vertical section of the apparatus within the drill stem for making electrical contact between the electric power cable and the assembly therebeneath, and also showing the packing unit.

Figure 12 is a view taken on the line l2-l2 on Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view in vertical section of the assembly into which the unit shown in Figure 11 is operatively received, and showing the electrical contacts and connecting wires positioned therein.

Figure 14 is a view taken on the line I l-44 on Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view taken on the line l5-l5 on Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a view in vertical section of the lower part of the assembly and showing fragmentarily the ,electromagnets, hammer and the rock bit.

Figure 17 is a view in vertical section of the upper part of a modified form of the invention and showing the electrical connections Within a standard drilling tool.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the commutator assembly for supplying current to the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of the lower part of the assembly shown in Figure 1'7, and showing fragmentarily a conventional standard bit, and

Figure 20 is an elevational view of a mud pump, I

cally imparted hammer blows, which blows are transmitted to a drilling bit when the bit is in contact with a .iormation, and further that the rate and force or the said blows are under the control of an operator at all times.

Referring to Figure 1, i denotes a control box which serves to encase the impulse rate changer illustrated diagrammatically in Figure'i. The rate of the impulses transmitted to the drilling bit is controlled by an operator through the medium of a control lever 3.

A reel 3, best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, 'serves as a means upon which an electric power cable It, illustrated in cross section in Figure 3 is wound. The power cable It is comprised of steel wires II which serve to encase an insulating material l2. Insulated wires l3, l4, and I! are imbedded within the insulating material l2.

The reel 3 is rotated by a suitable source of power (not shown) through a sprocket l3. Power is applied, when required, to the reel 3 through the medium of a clutch I! which is controlled by a rod l3.

Figure 5 is an end view 01' the reel 3 with portions 01' the housing l9 broken away and showing the slip ring arrangement. This latter assembly is comprised 01' the rings 20, 2| and 22, which are also shown in cross section in Figure.6.. It will be seen that these rings are insulated from the reel 9 by the insulating material 23. Electrical contact is made with the slip rings above described by means of the brushes 24, 25 and 23, which brushes are spring pressed against the slip rings. As shown in Figure 6, the cable l isanchored or secured to the body of the reel 8' by means of aclamp 21. v

As illustrated in Figure ,2 the cable l0 extends downwardly into the well through the drill stem 23, and enters the latter as shown in Figure 1 through a packing member 23, which is suitably positioned on a conventional swivel 30, which swivel is connected to the conventional kelly joint 5.

Thus, it will be seen that, regardless of the position of the drill stem assembly with the well. an electrical current may be conducted within thecable l0 which is positioned within the drill stem assembly, since electrical contact is possible at all times to the slip rings 20, 2| and 22 which are positioned on and insulated from the reel 3. Figure 7 illustrates diagrammatically one method whereby a controlled electrical current is conducted into a well, and within the drill stem assembly. A generator 3| is actuated by a suitable source of power, such as by an alternat-' ing current motor 32 which latter'is supplied with current from the mains 33. A reversed cone speed changer 34 is arranged as shown, andis manually controlled by means of the lever 3 which is connected to a shifting fork or pulley 35. A commutator assembly is shown in elevation in Figure 7, and is illustrated in cross section in Figures 8, 9 and 10. It will be understood that in order to obtain the desired hammer action upon the drill bit, it is necessary to alternately raise and force downwardly a ferrous hammer or plunger. The raising of the hammer is accomplished by means of the electromagnet 33, and the downward blow is attained by reason of the energization of the electromagnet 31. The magnet 36 is attached to the wires l4 and I! by branch wires 13 and the magnet 31 is attached to the wires l3 and I by the branch wires 13'.

It will be seen that current is continuously supplied to the wire l5 which is in constant electrical contact with the generator 3| through the medium 01' the brushes 33 which brushes contact the slip ring 33. This ring is insulated Irom the shaft as shown in Figure 10. A brush 40 alternately makes contact with a commutator segment 4| and a commutator segment 42. A brush 43 is in contact with the commutator shown in Figure 8, and a brush 44 is likewise in contact with the commutator shown in Figure 9. It will be understood that the commutators are insulated from each other, and from the slip ring 33. The arrangement above described serves to alternately energize the electromagnets 38 and 31, which magnets serve to efl'ect the hammer action on the drilling bit.

Figure 11 illustrates iragmentarily a drill stem and the means within the stem for making electrical contact with the assembly shown in Figure 13.

A drill stem unit 45, serves to encase the assembly, which latter is comprised primarily of the electric power cable It, illustrated in cross section in Figure 3. The cable I0 is mule-tailed 'to the rings BI, 52 and 53, respectively. These rings are electrically insulated from the metallic portions of the unit by means of insulating material 54.

Figure 13 illustrates the assembly into which the central assembly shown in Figure 11 is conformably received when it is desired to make electrical contact with the electromagnets, which magnets are preferably positioned adjacent the drill bit. The assembly shown in Figure 13 is comprised primarily of the cylindrically shaped member 56, which member is provided with a plurality of ports or water course 58. A space 51 is provided within the upper portion of the unit 55. A flexible member 63, having an anular cross section is centrally positioned within'the space 51. The purpose of the flexible member 58 is to squeeze fluid from the chamber 51, and to effect a seal when the central unit shown in Figure 11 is lowered by hydraulic pressure impressed thereon.

When it is desired to impose a hammer action upon the drilling bit, the power cable It, and its attendant assembly is lowered within the drill stem to a position such that the rings 51, 52 and 53, will contact the spring pressed brushes 59, 60 and GI, respectively. As the latter operation is effected, the packing member 53 is expanded by reason of the action or the beveled member 48, shown in Figure 11. A seal is thus efl'ected, but it will be observed that the water course is open to the units beneath the structure above described by reason of the ports 56. It will be observed that the central assembly shown in Figure 13 is mounted upon a ball bearing 62, in order-to prevent rotation of this assembly when the drill stem is rotated. A ground Joint is provided at a.

Since it is necessary to provide means for making electric contact between the central and stationary units shown in Figure 13, with units which are rotated with the drill stem, slip rings '63, 64 and 65, are provided which are insulated as shown, and are electrically connected to the brushes 59, 90 and 9|, respectively. These slip rings are mounted upon the central unit which latter unit is rotatably mounted upon the bearing 66,. tact the rings 63, 64 and 65, respectively. An annular oil chamber 1) is arranged as shown. The above described assembly is held in place by a plug in, which is threadably secured against a packing member H. It will be understood that all of the conducting cables or wires are suitably insulated.

The electrical circuit is completed to the units positioned below those hereinabove described through the medium of the insulated union connection 12. An insulatedcable 19 serves to conduct current from the connection I2. It will be seen that the common ground, illustrated tlia grammatically in Figure 7, is ledfrom the cable 13 into a central pipe or water course 14. A packing gland 15 is arranged as shown. The wires .19, i4 and 15, are provided with taps or lead wires 16 and 16', as shown in Figure 9.

The common lead wire 15 is connected to the electromagnets 3B and 31, the return to the generator being effected through the wires 14 and 13, respectively. The electromagnet 36 is encased within a housing 11, which latter is sheathed by the non-ferrous shell 18. It will be understood that the drill stem assembly surrounding the magnet arrangement and the hammer, to be hereinafter described, is constructed of non-ferrous material.

The water course 74 serves as a guide for a ferrous hammer 19, which hammer is alternately raised by the magnetic pull of the magnet 38, and

forced downwardly by the action of the magnet 31. The magnet 31 is encased within a housing 80, which latter housing is provided with a nonferrous sheath 8!. A conventional drill bit, such as the rock bit. 82, shown in part in Figure 16, is threadably secured to the assembly as shown.

Figure 18 illustrates a conventional slush pump 83 which is provided with a valve 84. The drilling fluid enters the pump through th pipe 85 and is forced into the drill stem assembly through the pipe 86, which is connected to the swivel illustrated in Figure 1. when the assembly shown in Figure 11 is withdrawn from the well, thereby relieving back pressure on this unit and allowing the drilling fluid thereabove to be discharged into the slush pit.

Figures 17, 18 and 19 illustrate a modified form of the invention applicable to the standard method of drilling bore holes. Figure 17 iilustrates in vertical section the electrical connections necessary to effect a hammer action upon a standard bit. It will be seen that a five wire circuit is referably employed, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 18. The rate of rotation of a shaft 85' is controlled by a speed changer such as illustrated in Figure 7. Manifestly, since the force of a blow imparted by an electromagnet is controlled by the amperage, surface means may be employed to control the saidamperage.

Referring to Figure 18, switches 89, 81, 88 and 89 serve to manually control current impressed upon the electromagnets I92, I02, iM'and 104, respectively. The commutators illustrated in Figure 18 are arranged in a manner similar to those illustrated in cross section in Figurs 8, 9 and 10, thereby enabling an operator to control the force of the blows imparted to a standard bit through the medium of the surface switches 86', 87, 88 and 89. Manifestly, the rate of the im- Spring pressed brushes 91, 68 and 69 con- The valve 83 is openedv pulses imparted to a standard bit may be controlled by a suitable speed changer such as that illustrated in Figure 7. 1

Referring to Figure 17, 94 represents a standard drilling cable, through which electrical current is supplied from a reel, provided with brushes and slip rings such as illustrated in Figure 4. The cable 94 is mule-tailed by the metal 85, as illustrated in Figure 17.. The above described assembly is afllxed to the bit assembly by means of the plug 99.

It will be seenthat since springs 91 tend to exertan upward force upon the assembly as shown, the diaphragms 98 and 99 are separated when the cable 94 is in tension. Consequently, the contact points 100 and llll are out of electrical contact.

When, however, the tension on the cable 94 is released, through the normal standard drilling operation, and consequently the standard bit is brought into contact with the formation, the contact points I90 and 101 are brought into electrical connection, and an electrical circuit is completed.

Thus, it will be seen that the electrical circuit is completed only when the, standard bit is in contact with the formation.

Referring to Figures 17 and 19, it will be seen that the force and rate of the blows electromagnetically imparted to the drilling bit is under the control of an operator at all times. Furthermore, the upward lift is controlled by the electromagnets I02 and I02 and the upward force or impulse imparted to a hammer 109 may be controlled fromthe surface'of the earth.

It will be observed that the downward force imparted by electromagnetic action may be con-- trolled by an operator through switch actions which will vary the amperage imparted to coils I04 and I'M, as illustrated in Figure 19.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and illustrated, together with the method herein described is capable of some modification and such modification as may' be construed within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is.

ing in combination, a' drill bit, a hammer, electromagnets for actuating said hammer in a reciprocating motion, each of said electro-magnets comprising a plurality of field coils, and means for selectively energizing each of said field coils for varying the force of attraction between said electro-magnets and said hammer for the production of shocks to said drill bits.

2. An earth boring tool for shattering an earth formation in advance of the drilling action .of said tool including in combination a drill bit, a hammer, electro-magnets for imparting a reciprocating motion to said hammer, each of saidelectro-magnets comprising a plurality of field coils, means .for selectively energizing each of said field coils for varying the force of attraction between said electro-magnets and said hammer, and means for varying the rate of reciprocation of said hammer.

3. An apparatus for drilling bore holes including in combination a rotary drill bit, a hammer, electro-magnets for actuating said hammer in a reciprocating motion, each of said electro-magnets comprising a plurality of field coils, means for selectively energizing each of said field coils for varying the force of attraction between said 10 coils, means for selectively energizing each of said i'ieid coils for varying the force of attraction between said electromagnets and said hammer for the production oi shocks, and switching means for controlling said circuits and for automatically closing said circuits when said bit is in contact with the bottom of said bore hole and for opening said circuits when said bit is lifted therefrom.

ROBERT E. LEE. 

